I pride myself on creating something out of nothing. That’s what writers do, we make shit up. Giving names to characters is one of my favorite pastimes. I try to nail a personality with a name helping myself out down the line as I move forward creating adventures and crises for said character to overcome. Chadwick and Guy Simms are planted firmly in my mind. As are Dalton Spoon and Gracie. I was the self proclaimed queen of made up names.
Then I moved to Portland, Maine. Since then, I have met real life characters with names I could only dream of making up. Garbo Seltzer. Really? I even asked her if I could borrow her name. It’s a classic. She could be a whodunit maven, a female Ellery Queen. Or perhaps an ex silent film star who has taken up with the Nazi’s in Paris. Let alone just a great neighbor who has her own story to tell. I thought about names while scrolling through my cell phone. Along with Garbo Seltzer, I came upon Ervin Mullet and Chellie Landline.
I used to look through the white pages for inspiration (For those of you born after 1985, that is a free book with phone numbers listed alphabetically and dropped off at your door by invisible people at 3 A.M.). But now all I really have to do is look through my cell phone or shake someones hand when walking down the street.
Better yet, dear readers. Perhaps you can send me some great names, with your blessing that I put them in the next great American novel, of course.
Oh, yes, my mind is churning. But the names aren’t visible through the cyclone’s walls. I’ll get back to you as soon as I can see them.
[By the way, in one of the early Facebook fun activities, I did a questionnaire that told me how to find many different names for myself. I was quite taken with my “hooker name”, which combined my favorite perfume with my favorite chocolate bar.]
Love,
Shalimar Mounds 😀
Joan, Joan, Joan, or should I say, Dear Shalimar! You are a prize. Sincerely Allure Butterfinger
I knew a kid in school named Field House. He was related to Shanda Leer. I loved this guy named Gene Pool, but he was a bit wishy washy. Once I got a phone call from a guy named Ben Dover. Sally, feel free to use any of these in your novels…
Deb, you are on fire! Keep ’em coming!
Deb – perfect names. I also have met Ben Dover. Not a nice man. 🙁
I am going to suggest “Blue Curls” in honor of our walk on Mt. Agamenticus.
LOVE the names Deb! And Sally- another excellent blog! I hope you don’t mind if I “borrow” a line, citing you as the creator of course!! 🙂 And Joan, I remember doing that early facebook thing too.
Fondly yours,
Gardenia Heath
From places I have lived…..Sue Bridgton & Bucky Kansas
Or maybe…..Sinko DeMayo (famous Latino star?)
Cherry Pyze?
Adventure star Sky Diver?
😀